Plow scarifier



April 1936- K. w. PORTER El AL 2,037,738

I PLOW SCARIFIER v FiledSept. 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l ul -"n..." lllllllllllllll "nun- E III April 21, 1936.. w, PORTER r AL 2,037,738

PLOW SCARIFIER Fild Sept. 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 K. w. PORTER ET AL,

PLOW SCARIFIER April 21, 1936 Filed Sept. 28, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 68r' 'mmif 65 86 '1 m 0 K63 j v April 21, 193 6, I w PORTER ET AL2,@37,738

PLOW SCARIFIER Filed Sept. 28, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 21,1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLOW SCARIFIER ration of IllinoisApplication September 28, 1933, Serial No. 691,332

11 Claims.

Our invention relates in general to plows. It relates more in particularto a type of plow having helicoidal blades and particularly adapted foruse as a scarifier, although it may have other uses as an earth workinginstrument.

In the pending application of Joseph N. Newsom, Serial No. 652,853, ahelicoidal plow possessing certain novel features is disclosed. We havediscovered that a plow of this character has very great advantages as ascarifier to break upahard, tough crust of earth and the like, such, forexample, as that found on oily roadways. We found that if a helicoidalblade of the character described by Newsom is controlled to move in aproper manner along the ground, a very satisfactory scarifying operationcan be performed. We found, however, that very definite problemspresented themselves, particularly in holding the blade in properposition, avoiding side draft, and in adjusting the machine to do themost satisfactory work under varying conditions.

Accordingly, the principal object of our invention is the provision ofan improved plow oiithe character indicated.

Another object is the provision of an improved instrument for scarifyinga tough upper crust of earth or the like.

Another object is to counteract side draft and side sway in aninstrument of this character.

30 A further object is the provision of improved controlling means foradjusting the cutting blade to the work.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description taken with theaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view showing oneembodiment of our invention, the view being partly broken away toconserve space;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front view;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectiona view taken on the line 5-5of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5 showing adetail of a supporting caster wheel;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but showing a'modification thereof;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modification for providingan additional adjustment;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of two parts employed in the formshown in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig.12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modification of one of thecontrol features; and

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of Fig. 13.

While the present instrument is particularly designed for scarifying aroad surface, it may have other uses. However, in order to explain theinvention, reference will be made to the use of the invention as ascarifying machine.

Referring now to the drawings, we provide a main frame I2 of generallyrectangular shape. A diagonal frame member I3 is secured to the mainrectangular frame so as to project at two corners thereof. This diagonalframe is secured to the main rectangular frame in any suitable way, as,for example, by welding. To the projecting portion of the diagonal frameI3 we secure a pair of bearing supporting members I4. These members havea widened bottom portion Md (Fig. 3) to which bearings I6-l6 areadjustably bolted or clamped. The bearings I6l6 journal the main bladeshaft (not shown) to which the helicoidal blade sections I? are secured.By positioning the bearings It at different positions along the portionsMa, we can incline the helicoidal blade assembly at an angle of from 60to 45 with the line of draft, as previously described. In the presentinvention, we do not show the detailed construction of the blades; thatis, the manner in which they are made up and secured to their shaft. Inthe preferred form, the individual blade sections are at an angle offrom 75 to 45 to theaxis of the shaft. Under all conditions, they shouldbe at an angle to the shaft of less than 90 so that when the blade as awhole is set at an angle to the line of draft, the individual bladeswill point substantially along the line of draft, or so that the cupportion of the blade will face into the earth rather than the back ofthe blade. In this manner, the proper action in the movement of earth isobtained. When looking from the forward end of the blade, a right handspiral is provided which rolls to the right as it moves through theearth. This causes the blades to work into the earth so as to move theearth into the cupped portion of the blade and provides exceptionallygood results in breaking up the soil or a hard crust which may be foundon top of the soil or on top of the road.

At opposite sides of the main frame, we provide main wheels l8 and I9journaled on crank shaped axles 2! and 22. These axles are in turnjournaled in bearings 23 and 24 carried by the main frame. Each of theaxles has a worm gear segment 26 (Fig. 4) engaged by a Worm 2'! carriedon shaft 28. Each of the shafts 28 terminates in a hand wheel or crank29. By rotating the shaft and the worm carried thereby, the verticalpositions of the wheels may be individually regulated. Each shaftcarries an arm 3| pinned thereto and springs 32 having one end securedto the arms 3!, and the opposite ends secured to the diagonal frame I3are provided to partially offset the effect of gravity which otherwisetends to raise the wheels with respect to the frame. The frames then actin the manner of the counterweight to facilitate movement of the wheels.As shown, one of the wheels is mounted in advance of the helicoidalblade and the other to the rear of the helicoidal blade, therebyobtaining a substantial balance of the front portion of the frame.

The main frame I2 is provided with a tail extension including agenerally triangular web portion 33 and a pair of channels 3-4. The endsof the channel members have secured thereto a tail member 36 to which aswivel member 3'! is attached by suitable means such as rivets 38. Avertical swivel 39 is journaled in the member 3'! and carries a fork 4!,in which an axle 42 is carried. A tail supporting or caster wheel 43 isjournaled on the shaft 42. The vertical swivel 39 has pinned thereto awheel supporting member 44 of which the fork 4! forms a part. It has aweb portion provided with a hole into which a pin 46 is adapted toengage. A pivoted bell crank member 41 engages the top of pin 46 andcarries a removable handle 48. Through this construction, when the pin43 engages the member 44, the caster wheel 43 is prevented fromswiveling. At this time it will track directly toward the front of themachine or will be directly in line with the intended line of draft.When, however, the pin 46 is removed-by pushing forward on the handle48, the wheel is free to swivel. This is an advantage in making turnsand the like, as will be shown.

As shown in Fig. 6, the caster wheel 43 is made solid and heavy. This isto provide for weight at the tail of the machine to assist in reducingside sway. The periphery of the wheel is slotted intermediate the sidesthereof and a plural part disc 49 is secured to the wheel in the slot.The disc assists in maintaining the machinein line, but is removableshould it be necessary to move the machine from one job to another.

As the resistance of the tail or caster wheel to side draft depends onground friction only, extra weight and flange are added to increase thisfrictional resistance. The tail portion is designed to carry additionalweight by means of weighted sections 5l5l attached to the channels 34.We find that by providing a relatively large amount of weight in thetail portion of the machine, resistance to side sway-is increased.

In a machine of the character described, we find that the operation isimproved by employing a double tractor hitch at opposite sides of themachine so that the attachment on the side of the machine nearest to theforward end of the blade is below the axis of the blade; while theattachment of the hitch'at the opposite side of the-frame is above theaxis of the blade. One

result of arranging drawbars in this manner is to prevent any tendencyof raising caster wheel off the ground which would decrease itsfrictional resistance.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, we employ an angle 52 having oneleg extending up into the channel portion of the diagonal frame member I3 and the opposite leg running vertically and carrying an angle 53. Ahitching eye 54 is secured to the angle 53 below the axis of the spiral.At the opposite side of the machine, a plate 56 is secured to the frameand has a hitching eye 51 carried thereby above the axis of the spiral.A double hitch is employed including one drawbar 58 of definite lengthwith no provision for adjustment, and another drawbar including arelatively small diameter tube 59 attached to the eye 54 and arelatively larger diameter tube 6|. Pins 62 are provided to adjustablyengage the two tubes together. Both tubes are flattened at the forwardend and are brought together to provide common hitch 63 for engagementby a tractor drawbar. By adjusting the members 59 and GI, various hitcharrangements may be made either to draw the scarifier directly behindthe tractor or toward one side thereof as determined by conditions. Byemploying an offset hitch, tendency toward side sway or side movement ofthe scarifier is decreased.

In Fig. '7, we show a modified form of rear wheel including a main wheelbody 66 and a pair of discs 61. Each of the discs is made up of aplurality of sections for easy removal from the wheel without removingthe wheel from its axle. The modified wheel accomplishes the samepurpose as the wheel described in the main embodiment in furnishing asupport with a sufficient amount of weight to increase the force ofengage ment with the ground; the disc to force into the ground asufiicient distance to assist in preventing side sway; the relativelywide main wheel surface for preventing the disc from sinking too farinto the ground; and the removable feature of the disc sections toprovide'a smooth peripheral surface when the wheel is running over aroad into which it is not desired that the disc sections penetrate. Theuse of the two disc sections flared outwardly possess the additionaladvantage, however, of offering a greater resistance to side movementunder certain conditions.

In Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, we show a modification of the tail portionof the scarifier to provide for leaning the rear or caster wheel. Tothis end we employ two built-up structures 68 and 69 shown in Figs. 10and 11, respectively. These two sections comp-rise pivoting andattaching sections and are so made up that they can be inserted in thetail section between the two channel members to constitute the tailframe and the member 36 (Fig. 5). In this way, the construction isstandardized and we can provide either a leaning wheel scarifier or onewithout a leaning wheel from the same parts, or convert a non-leaningwheel scarifier into one with a leaning wheel by the use of someadditional parts, as will be shown. The member 69 comprises a portion69a secured by bolts H to the channels 34 of the tail; and a web portion69b at right angles to the portion 69a and extending in a vertical planewhen assembled on the machine. A pair of flanges 12 are integral withthe webs 69a and 69b, and a tube 13 is secured between the flanges 12and projects out slightly through the web 691). The two flanges 12 alsoextend between the two channels 34 (Fig. 12) and are secured thereto bybolts,

which bolts also extend in and engage the tube 13. The assembly 68includes a pair of channel members 16 secured to a vertical web section11. A tube 18 extends through webportion 11 and is securely weldedthereto with sufficient clearance between tube 18 and member 16 topermit taking tail member 36 which is secured by bolts 19. The extendingportion 18' projects into the tube 13 when the two members 68 and 69 arein assembled relation, and the two vertical webs 69b and TI lie againsteach other. Tube 18 carries a collar 8| which is secured to a portion ofthe tube 18 projecting entirely through the tube 13. A pin 82 holds thecollar 8| in position. The member 36, identical with the member 36described in the main form, is bolted to the two channels 16 of theassembly member 68. The remaining portion of the tail including theswivel, castor wheel, etc., are the same as in the main form, and forconvenience are given the same reference characters.

In order to lean the castor wheel, the two assembly members 68 and 69are moved with respect to each other, the movement being rotary aboutthe interconnecting tubes. To this end, the web- 11 carries a projection33; while the web 12 carries a projection 84. Nuts 86 and 81 arethreaded onto right hand and left hand threaded sections, respectively,of a screw 88 provided with a hand wheel 89. Each of the nuts 86 and 81is provided with a threaded stud, and the threaded studs engage throughthe projections 83 and 84. Nuts 9| are threadedon the studs and completethe attachment of the studs to the projections 83 and 84. When the handWheel is turned, the nuts- 86 and 81 move either toward each other oraway from each other, due to the provision of the left and right handthread. Nut 81, however, being in engagement with projection 84 from theassembly part 69 which is secured to the tail, is held immovable. Nuts86 being attached to the member 68, which is free to rotate around theaxis of the tubes, will be moved either to the left or right and willaccordingly rotate the entire assembly 68 and everything supported inback of it, including the wheel, either to left or right. This providesfor leaning the rear or caster wheel.

In Figs. 13 and 14, we show a modification for raising and lowering themain frame. For convenience, only one wheel is shown to which thereference character I9 is given, as in the main form. This wheel issecured to a crank shaped axle 22 journaled in bearings 24 carried bythe main frame. A pair of arms 92 are secured to the axle and pivotallysecured to a piston member 93 which engages in a hydraulic piston 94.This piston is pivoted at 96. A hydraulic pump 91 is operated by a pumphandle 98 and delivers hydraulic fluid through a pipe 99 to thehydraulic cylinder. The dotted lines in Fig. 14 show the loweredposition of the wheel l9. At this time the piston has been extendedbyactuation of the hydraulic fluid. By releasing the pressure of hydraulicfluid, the wheel is allowed to move upwardly due to the weight of themachine. We have not shown the position of the opposite wheel, but it ismounted in the same location with respect to the wheel l9 as the wheell9 shown in Fig. 1. The dotted lines at the right of Fig. 14: indicatethe position of the parts of this wheel when it is actuated.

In the operation of the machine of our invention, a suitable source ofpower such as a tractor is secured to the double hitch draw bar. Thewheels are then raised and. as the scarifier is drawn forward, thehelicoidal blade works into the earth breaking up the hard top surfacealong a path extending the full width of the blade in a singleoperation. On account of the slicing action of the helicoidal blade, aheavy oiled road can be broken up with the machine of our invention withonly very small expenditure of power as compared to other so-calledscarifiers having a tearing action which have been used to some extenttrying to accomplish the same purpose. As an example, our machine can beemployed tobreak up the top surface of an oiled road with a tractorhaving about half the horsepower rating of a tractor required to draw anordinary tooth scarifier cutting the same width through the same roadsurface. The machine of our invention can operate continuously even inhot summer weather without taking the helicoidal blade out of contactwith the earth. The ordinary tooth scarifier cannot be run continuouslywithout overheating and frequent sharpening of teeth is necessary. Wefind that due to the arrangement which we employ with the helicoidalblades, sharpening is unnecessary as the blades appear to sharpenthemselves as they move through the ground. In our machine thehelicoidal blades have a long periphery and just a small portion of theblade is in contact with earth at any one time. This providesforconstant air cooling.

An important feature of our invention is the avoidance of side sway. Thelocation and character'of the hitch are important in this connection,particularly hitching one draw bar member to the frame below the axis ofthe helicoidalor spiral blade. The use of a relatively long tail withthe fixed caster wheel and a relatively large amount of weightdistributed in the tail also facilitates this result. If there is atendency toward side sway under certain conditions which may beencountered, such as the contour of a road, surface and the like, theadjustable draw bar member can be regulated as to length. Ordinarily wefind, however, that once this draw bar hitch is adjusted, the machinecan usually be operated without further adjustment. When operating on acrowned road, the machine can be drawn up either the left or right sidedepending upon the choice of the operator. The 'individiual adjustmentof the wheels permits bringing the blade into the work under eithercondition.

In operating on roads, it is customary to work in sections of anyconvenient length. After the scarifier has been drawn over a sectionalong one path, the handle 48 on the tail is pushed or pulled forward topermit the caster wheel to swivel, the front wheels are lowered to raisethe blade out of contact with the earth, and the machine is turned bymerely drawing it after the tractor in a half circle. It is then broughtinto position and operated on the opposite side of the road section andthis continued a number of times, depending upon the width of the road,until finally the middle surface of the road is reached and. the roadleft with the top surface entirely broken While the machine of ourpresent invention is designed primarily as a scarifier instrument, itmay be used in any connection in which a plowing and/or scarifyingaction is required. In scarifying, the blade usually is not allowed tomove deeply into the soil or roadway, the purpose usually being only tobreak up the hard top surface.

We accordingly do not wish to restrict our invention to details ormethod of operation described, but such invention is limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting the helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft, a relatively long frame member extending rearwardly from thehelicoidal blade, a flanged caster wheel pivoted on a vertical pivot tothe end of said tail, and means for holding said wheel against rotationabout said vertical pivot and in direct alignment with the line of draftof the machine.

2. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting the helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft, a relatively long frame member extending rearwardly from thehelicoidal blade, a flanged Wheel carried at the end of said tail, meansfor holding said wheel in alignment with the line of draft, and meansfor leaning said wheel sideways.

3. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a helicoidalblade supported on said frame'at an acute angle to the line of draft, a

relatively long tail member extending from, the main frame, a pair ofwheels at the side of the main frame, means for individually adjustingthe elevation of said wheels, a caster wheel carried at the end of thetail, and means for holding said caster wheel in alignment with the lineof draft of the machine.

4. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting said helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft of the machine, and a two-part drawbar, one of said drawbar partsbeing secured below the axis of the helicoidal blade and another of saidparts above the axis of the helicoidal blade.

5. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting the helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft extending rearwardly from the helicoidal blade intermediate theends thereof, a wheel pivotally carried near the end of said framemember and having a flange removably secured thereto, and means forholding said pivotal wheel rigid to run true to the line of draft of themachine.-

7. In a machine of the character described, a

main frame of generally rectangular shape having downward extensions oneither side thereof, a helicoidal blade supported on said extensionsbelow the frame at an acute angle to the line of draft of said machine,a two-part draw bar, means on said frame for securing one of said partsbelow the axis of the blade adjacent one end thereof, and a second meanson said frame for securing said second part above the axis of the bladesubstantially forward of the other end of the blade whereby said machineis maintained at normal operating position as it is drawn through theearth.

8. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting the helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft and with its helixes, as followed in a direction opposite to thedirection of rotation, extending toward the advanced end of the blade, arelatively long frame member extending rearwardly from the helicoidalblade, a flanged wheel carried at the end of said tail, means forholding said wheel in alinement with the line of draft, and means forleaning said wheel sideways.

9. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a helicoidalblade supported on said frame at an acute angle to the line of draft,and with its helixes, as followed in a direction opposite to thedirection of rotation, extending toward the advanced end of the blade,a. relatively long tail member extending from the main frame, a pair ofwheels at the side of the main frame, means for individually adjustingthe elevation of said wheels, a caster wheel carried at the end of thetail, and means for holding said caster wheel in alinement with the lineof draftof the machine.

10. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting said helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft of the machine and with its helixes, as followed in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation, extending toward the advanced endof the blade, and a two-part drawbar, one of said drawbar parts beingsecured below the axis of the helicoidal blade and another of said partsabove the axis of the helicoidal blade.

11. In a machine of the character described, a helicoidal blade, meansfor supporting the helicoidal blade at an acute angle to the line ofdraft of said machine, and with its helixes, as followed in a directionopposite to the direction of rotation, extending toward the advanced endof the blade, a relatively long frame tail member extending rearwardlyfrom said blade intermediate the ends thereof, and means for supportingsaid tail member at the end thereof to carry said member in aswivel-like action along the line of draft of the machine.

KENNETH W. PORTER. CHARLES J. MORITZ. ERNEST A. MORITZ.

